President Julius Maada Bio signed a measure banning child marriage in Sierra Leone, where one-third of girls are married before the age of 18. The health ministry says early marriage increases maternal mortality due to the physical dangers of childbearing at such a young age.
“Together, we want to build an empowered Sierra Leone where women are given an even platform to reach their full potential. I have always believed that the future of Sierra Leone is female,” the president emphasized.
Under the new rule, a man who marries a minor could be imprisoned for 15 years and fined $4,000. Parents and guests at such weddings can also be fined. UNICEF reports approximately 60 million child brides in West and Central Africa, the highest rate in the world.
A 21-year-old Sierra Leonean former child bride told Western media that she was forced into marriage at 14 and is considering going to court to seek an annulment under the new rule.
Human Rights Watch researcher Betty Kabari said the law "should break the cycle of early marriage and its devastating consequences." It opens the door for Tanzania and Zambia to ban child marriage, she added.